The Voice of the Martyrs recently helped a Christian couple in Pakistan facing financial difficulty and threats from their Muslim family. “Aasim” and his wife, “Saba,” have had a hard life. In 2009, Aasim broke both legs and his right arm in an accident, leaving him unable to work. His wife worked to support their family.

They have had to move three times to avoid Saba’s Muslim family, who have been looking for them with the intent to kill them. Even so, the couple trusted that God would provide for them. A VOM worker eventually came into contact with Aasim and Saba and helped them move to a shelter near Lahore.

Aasim suffers from heart problems, and Saba works long hours as a housemaid, making it difficult for them to care for their two young daughters. To help, VOM gave the couple an auto rickshaw, a small laundry unit, living expenses and an assortment of household items. Aasim has received medical attention, and Saba attends Bible school on a VOM scholarship.

“Because I worked as a housemaid, I didn’t have enough time to take care of my little daughters and husband,” Saba said. “The laundry unit is a great gift. I can work at home and make money for my family. God bless you.”

Aasim, who used to work multiple jobs to help provide, was rarely able to attend prayer and church meetings. He is now self-employed as a rickshaw driver, helps care for his children and prays and attends church with his family. VOM workers remain in touch with this family.

“Their joy was evident,” said a VOM worker. “They now have a new life. They thanked the Lord and VOM for this love.”

Mary was only seventeen when Muslim fanatics raided her village in Lebanon. Mary and her parents were confronted with a grueling choice: “Become a Muslim, or you will be shot.”

Mary boldly told the man, “I choose God. Go ahead and shoot.” Mary and her family were shot and left for dead. Two days later, the Red Cross arrived in the village and found a miracle. Mary was alive—paralyzed by the bullet wound.

Devastated and grieving, Mary clung to her faith and prayed. Finally a strange peace came over her. She made this commitment to God: “Everyone has a job to do. I can never marry or do any physical work. So I will offer my life for the Muslims, like the ones who killed my father and mother and tried to kill me. My life will be a prayer for them."

Her prayers and her undeniable witness of Christ brought many Muslims to faith in the Son of God. In Lebanon, 1990 was the fiercest year of the fifteen-year civil war. Thousands were killed or wounded, and hundreds of thousands fled. However, Mary’s offering of her wounded life encouraged many Christians to stay and take a stand for Christ.

The greatest gift to God’s service will not fit in an offering plate. When we view our entire lives as offerings to God, our resources to benefit his kingdom are unlimited. Many of those who have been persecuted like Mary share a similar story. They continue to offer their lives to serve those who oppress them as an act of worship. Therese of Lisieux once noted, “Sufferings gladly borne for others convert more people than sermons.” The majority of Christians will find it easy to make the usual excuses for offering their lives: “too busy” and “too much going on.” However, God can reveal unique ways that we can be witnesses for Him.

April 27, 2012

We so appreciate you taking the time to join us in prayer every week for these specific prayer requests. The prayers of the righteous accomplish much. Thank you for accomplishing much by praying for the persecuted church.

A secret document obtained by China Aid Association (CAA) details the Chinese government's plan to eradicate house churches within 10 years. The State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA) issued the document in cooperation with the ministries of Public Security and Civil Affairs. According to CAA, phase one of the strategy involves a thorough investigation of house churches from January to June 2012. Phase two concentrates on "cleaning up" the house churches that have been investigated within two to three years, and phase three aims to eradicate the house churches within 10 years. Strategies for accomplishing these goals include incorporating house churches into government-sanctioned Three-Self churches; banning the words "house church" from all websites, media and documents; and implementing humane law enforcement measures. CAA reports that persecution and suppression of house churches has risen by 20 percent this year. A house church pastor from Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, said, "The situation this year is especially tense." Pray for China's house churches as they proclaim the truth of the gospel. Pray that the Lord will strengthen them in the midst of persecution.

Kartik Paramenika, a leader of the 2008 massacre in Orissa, India, has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Ramesh Digal. Paramenika's murder conviction in March was the first conviction related to the widespread mob violence against Christians in Kandhamal, Orissa, in August and September 2008. Kartik led a mob to Petapanga village in 2008, where he killed Ramesh and burned his home. Ramesh worked as a cook in the school where Kartik served as headmaster. In addition to the life sentence, Kartik was also sentenced to five years for arson and was fined 5,000 rupees. Convictions are sometimes difficult to obtain in India because witnesses are often threatened and harassed. John Dayal, a member of the government of India's National Integration Council, said, "Justice remains the critical issue in Kandhamal, where a combination of circumstances, including lacunae [missing information] in investigations and coercion of witnesses, has resulted in a long series of acquittals. This conviction will help begin to rebuild faith in the judicial system. We must also congratulate the public prosecutor for securing this major success."

Pray for Christian converts in a discipleship program. They are taught to sew as a means of supporting themselves. The worst persecution for Christian converts often begins after they are baptized because baptism is seen as a formal declaration of faith. Many converts are disinherited, forced to leave their parents' homes and even expelled from their villages.

In VOM’s work we often think of I Cor. 12:26, which tells us that if one part of Christ’s Body suffers, the other parts feel that pain as well. VOM staff members usually think of this verse in relation to our persecuted brothers and sisters. But in the past 10 days we have been suffering, and so many within the Body of Christ have reached out to support us.

Every member of the staff at The Voice of the Martyrs has been encouraged and blessed by the incredible outpouring of prayer, love and support from our readers and ministry friends. So many have called, written or posted encouraging comments via social media. Thank you.

Many have asked about the young girl who reported the allegations of abuse, and her family.

Both her family and the White family have asked VOM to respect their privacy during this time and not comment on specifics of the investigation. After listening to both families, and because the alleged activity did not take place at VOM and was unrelated to Mr. White’s work with the ministry, VOM’s leadership believe it is appropriate to honor their request [prior to issuing this statement VOM asked members of both families to review it].

We have been in continual prayer for the healing and restoration of this child, her family and the White family since the tragic events unfolded last week. As you continue to pray for VOM, we hope you’ll join with us in lifting up these two families as well. Their pain and suffering is difficult to imagine.

USA (MNN) ― There's a war raging on Christianity, but hardly anyone knows about it. While those in Christian circles are aware of the issues, the secular press has largely ignored the problem. Some believe it's malicious. Others says it's been done out of pure ignorance. Whatever the situation, the war rages on, and the Voice of the Martyrs is rallying Christians to be "The Voice."

Todd Nettleton with the Voice of the Martyrs says, "The Bible talks about us being at war in a spiritual sense. Spiritually, yes, there's definitely a war between Islam and Christianity. And in many places Christians are under attack because of their minority status, their evangelism activities, or for other reasons."

This attack by Muslims on Christians is profound, yet unreported. "If you are a Muslim today, and tomorrow you say, 'You know what? I want to be a Christian,' everywhere in the Muslim world that makes you an apostate. It literally puts you life at risk whether it's from government authorities or from your own family. To leave Islam and follow another religion is really a capital crime."

Muslims oppose Christians sharing their faith with Muslims. However, if a Christian talks about the Gospel, they're accused of insulting Islam and are arrested.

According to Nettleton, "As you see that consistently in Islamic nations, it's hard not to think there is a war on Christianity."

In March, Saudi Arabia's highest Islamic law authority decreed that churches in the region must be destroyed. Nettleton says there aren't any Christian churches in Saudi Arabia. "They not only don't want any buildings, they don't want any Christians. They don't want any gatherings of Christians worshipping Christ together. That kind of tells you what their position is about Christianity and about having Christians in their country."

Nettleton says the only answer is spiritual renewal through Jesus Christ. He's encouraging Christians to understand: "To understand the truth about Islam. To understand what Islam teaches. To understand the principles that Muslims live by and uphold."

While the secular media isn't reporting on this, Nettleton understands why. "They don't understand the spiritual issues that are involved, and so it's hard for them to report. They don't necessarily see the persecution angle, the religious angle, or the spiritual angle, and so they can't tell the whole story even when they do report on it."

The Voice of the Martyrs is supporting Christians in many of these oppressed areas of the world. You can help support a pastor or supply Bibles for believers. Support their work here.

April 26, 2012

This week The Voice of the Martyrs Be-A-Voice-Network sent out an update about the latest concerning Christians in Mali.

Ethnic Tuareg rebels have seized control of three main provincesin northern Mali. The National Movement for the Liberation of the Azawad (NMLA), which led the rebellion, claims to be secular. However, they have been aided by jihadists fighting specifically for an Islamic state in which Sharia (Islamic law) is enforced. Once the NMLA achieved its goal, its ally, a jihadist faction known as Ansar Dine, seized control, hoisted the black flag of al-Qaeda and announced the imposition of Sharia. Sources say there are now four flags flying in Gao province--those of the NMLA, Boko Haram, Ansar Dine and al-Qaeda. The rebellion has resulted in widespread violence. Rapes havebeen reported and massive destruction and looting have crippled the humanitarian aid sector. In addition, Christian charities and churches have been destroyed. Virtually the entire Christian population of northern Mali has been forced to flee.

The following video is courtesy of our sister ministry The Voice of the Martyrs Canada. As you watch, please continuing praying for Nigerian Christians as they stand firm in their faith, amidst a hostile environment.

Video Description:

Militant Muslims brutally attacked Christians in the town of Yelwa, Plateau State, Nigeria, on February 2004. The Muslims slashed people with machetes and burned down churches and cars. In this video, a survivor of the attack shares his account of the attack.

JUBA, South Sudan, April 26 (CDN) — Christians faced increased hostilities in Sudan over the past few weeks, culminating in an attack on a Christian compound in Khartoum by a throng of Muslim extremists armed with clubs, iron rods, a bulldozer and fire.

Breaking down the compound wall with a bulldozer, the assailants on Saturday (April 21) set fire to the Gerief West Bible School and the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church (SPEC) building; they also damaged three other places of worship and other buildings in the same compound, sources told Compass by telephone. Also damaged were a clinic, a home for the elderly, classrooms and living quarters.

“What happened could not be imagined – it was terrible,” said the Rev. Yousif Matar, general secretary of the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church synod. “They burned all furniture of the school and the church as well.”

Following a fiery call by hard-line Muslim sheikh Muhammad Abdel Kareem on Friday (April 20) to a crowd of more than 500 to destroy “the infidels’ church,” he led the attack the next day, sources said.

“Tomorrow at 8 a.m., Muslims in this area must gather in front of the infidels’ church and destroy them,” Kareem told the crowd, according to Compass sources.

Please continue your prayers for Christians in Sudan, and please pray for those who are persecuting the Christians, so that they may come to know and love the Savior they are persecuting.

April 25, 2012

I have said it before and today I wanted to say it again, I love The Voice of the Martyrs - Bibles Unbound program, because I know, according to this living and active Word of God, that the scriptures change people lives and eternity and I know that His word never returns void.

Isaiah 55:11 - "So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it."

Which is why I wanted to encourage you to get involved in one of the coolest opportunities of a lifetime. Seriously.

If you're not familar with how Bibles Unbound works, here are few steps that explain it.

2. Choose an Operation to support. An Operation is a specific list of people in need of a Bible. More than one operation may be associated with one country/region. To choose the Featured Operation, click the "View Now" button. Alternately you can search for Operations by clicking on a Country/Region Name under Operations Search.

3. From the Operations page, learn more about the area and a description of the specific operation. Select how many New Testaments you wish to give each month (multiples of five.) The cost is $6.00 each, which covers the cost of the New Testaments and the cost of shipping to the restricted nation.

4. After placing your order you will receive a confirmation message by email. Shortly after the payment date you have chosen, your order will be processed and you will receive an email notification.